Metro Vancouver and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association are looking for some North Shore volunteers to help in the 2017 homeless count.
Metro partners with agencies across the Lower Mainland and recruits volunteers to hit the streets every three years to get a one-day snapshot of the homeless population. This year’s count takes place between March 7 and 8.
Volunteers will be given two hours of training and are expected to put in a two-hour shift in which they’ll visit areas frequented by homeless people and conduct short, anonymous surveys. The information helps shape government policy and non-profit services.
About 1,200 people have been recruited across the region so far but there haven’t been enough sign-ups locally.
“In particular, we need about 30 more volunteers on the North Shore,” said Greg Valou, Metro Vancouver spokesman. “It’s a tangible way for people to get involved with solving homelessness in the community. For people who are concerned about it, it’s a good way to actually get out there and do something that will have an impact.”
The last count in 2014 found 119 people living homeless on the North Shore.
To apply for the count, visit bcnpha.ca/call-volunteers.
